Freshwater tank leaking - can it be repaired?

[drboyd]

Any time I've got more than about 6 gallons in my freshwater tank, it drips from the bottom. I've replaced the drain fitting, and I though that was it, but it's not.

This is a 1978 vintage tank... are they repairable? If not, how stabbed am I gonna be for a new tank?

Thanks!

Don

[john hd]

don

did you check the clean out plug?

mine was shot after only ten years, looked like the bleach used to sanitize the tank got to it.

i replaced it with a hardware store 1 1/2" plug made of pvc.

john

[drboyd]

John, I did that already, and I thought the plug was the problem, 'cause the old plug was galvanized. Or it used to be galvanized before it became iron oxide. I've used two different PVC plugs wrapped with teflon tape, and it's still dripping...

Arrgh!!

[drboyd]

...fixed now!

Turns out that the old galvanized plug chewed up the threads in the clean out fitting when it rusted, and the new pvc fitting wasn't sealing correctly, even with five wraps of teflon tape.

Per a suggestion from the wonderful parts lady at Dillon's (local Airstream dealer) I sealed it with some stuff that -- I swear this is true --- will seal cracks under water and even on oily surfaces!!

The tech support guy for this stuff says the only thing it won't seal is soap!

Anyway, it's sealed up and holding water as I type!

Voila!